Mixed drink preparation apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mixed drink preparation apparatus includes a housing having a liquor receiving zone which receives a plurality of quantities of liquor each in its original container. The housing also receives mix containers, a water container, and a carbon dioxide container. A dispensing head is mounted on the housing and extends into a mixed drink preparation zone. A drain extends from a point in the mixed drink preparation zone beneath the dispensing head to a drain container mounted in the housing. Liquor pumps function to withdraw liquor from the liquor containers and to discharge the liquor through the dispensing head. The mix containers are pressurized with carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container, whereby mix is caused to flow through the dispensing head. A water pump withdraws water from the water container and directs the water through a liquid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head. The water pump also directs water into a carbonating apparatus which supplies carbonated water. The flow of the various liquids through the dispensing head is regulated by valves which are in turn controlled by electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry responds to cards each individual to a particular mixed drink to actuate the valves to effect discharge of the proper amount of each liquid necessary for the preparation of the desired mixed drink through the dispensing head. The electronic circuitry may also include counters which serve to record the quantity of liquor dispensed.

United States Patent [1 1 Kross [75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 222/2; 222/l08; 222N294; 222/146 C [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/14[58] Field of Search 222/2, l29.l, 129.2, [29.3, ZZZ/129.4, 76, 70, I07,146 C 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2736,46 1 2/l956 WaltonZZZ/I291 3,8l4 28S 6/1974 Craig 222/2 Primary ExaminerStanIey H.Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Hadd Lane Arrurney, Agent, or FirmRichards,Harris & Medlock 57] ABSTRACT A mixed drink preparation apparatusincludes a housing having a liquor receiving zone which receives aplurality of quantities of liquor each in its original con- Sept. 9,1975 tainer. The housing also receives mix containers, a watercontainer, and a carbon dioxide container. A dispensing head is mountedon the housing and extends into a mixed drink preparation zone. A drainextends from a point in the mixed drink preparation zone beneath thedispensing head to a drain container mounted in the housing. Liquorpumps function to withdraw liquor from the liquor containers and todischarge the liquor through the dispensing head. The mix containers arepressurized with carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container,whereby mix is caused to flow through the dispensing head. A water pumpwithdraws water from the water container and directs the water through aliquid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head. The Waterpump also directs water into a carbonating apparatus which suppliescarbonated water. The flow of the various liquids through the dispensinghead is regulated by valves which are in turn controlled by electroniccircuitry. The electronic circuitry responds to cards each individual toa particular mixed drink to actuate the valves to elfect discharge ofthe proper amount of each liq uid necessary for the preparation of thedesired mixed drink through the dispensing head. The electronic circuitry may also include counters which serve to record the quantity ofliquor dispensed.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 9 i975 SliLU 2 UP 4 FIG. 5

TO SODA TO WATER mnzzDa x0303 OP TO MIX TANKS PATENTEDSEP 919153.9041379 sum 3 [1F 4 FIG.

sum u or 4 PATENTEDSEP ms NOM b mom Em mm OON m EN mmm mmm A @NN omw EmM 6m mvN mm A mmw oom mm/ vwm mom 0mm mmm MIXED DRINK PREPARATIONAPPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto a mixed drink preparation apparatus, and more particularly to a cardcontrolled system for automatically preparing a wide variety of mixeddrinks.

It is now well established that the manual preparation of mixed drinksinherently involves a number of substantial problems. For example, at acocktail party or reception, a number of bar locations and a equal orgreater number of bartenders may be required in order to provide mixeddrinks for quests. Notwithstanding the large inventory and labor costswhich are involved in such an operation, there are often long lines ateach bar location, leaading to irritation of the guests and disruptionof the affair. This is true because the manual preparation of a mixeddrink involves a number of time consuming steps, such as selection ofthe proper liquor. pouring of the liquor, selection of one or moremixes, pouring of the mixes, etc.

Another problem involved in the manual preparation of mixed drinks isthat of accountability. Depending on the particular bartender that ispreparing the mixed drink, the amount of liquor that is actually used inpreparing the mixed drink may vary to a caonsiderable extent. When thisfactor is combined with such factors as spillage. breakage, andthievery, the task of properly accounting for the liquor used in amanual mixed drink preparation operation becomes quite substantial.

The foregoing problems have been at least partially recognizedheretofore. For example, application Ser. No. 322,!20 filed .Ian. 8,I973, by Craig for BEVER- AGE DISPENSING APPARATUS discloses anapparatus for automatically dispensing mixed drinks which operated underthe control of punched cards. However, experience with the prior devicehas revealed a number of difficulties. For example, in the use thereof.liquors must be poured from their original containers into liquorreceiving containers which are then pressurised to effect liquordispensing. This procedure has been found to be time consuming and isalso liable to spillage, breakage, etc. Additionally, the prior devicedoes not provide for accountability of liquors used. The ability tomaintain accurate records with respect to liquor usage is considered tobe highly advantageous in any type of automated mixed drink preparationsystem. Thus. a need exists for still further improvements in the art ofautomatic mixed drink preparation.

The present invention comprises a mixed drink preparation system whichovercomes the foregoing and other disadvantages long since associatedwith the prior art. Thus, by means of the present invention. mixeddrinks are prepared very rapidly, i.e., within 6 seconds or less perdrink. and with little or no possibility of spillage or breakage. Also.mixed drink preparation systems incorporating the invention provide forfull accountability of all liquors used.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention. a mixed drinkpreparation apparatus includes a housing which received a plurality ofquantities of liquor. each in its original container. a pluralityofquantities of mixes, a quantity of water, and a quantity of carbondioxide. The housing includes a top wall defining a mixed drinkpreparation zone, and a dispensing head is mounted on the housing andextends into the (all mixed drink preparation zone. A plurality of cardsare provided, with each card corresponding to a particular mixed drink.Upon insertion of a card, the various liquids necessary in thepreparation of a mixed drink corresponding to the card are pumped fromtheir various containers and theprecise quantity of each liquid that isnecessary in the preparation of a desired mixed drink is dischargedthrough the dispensing head.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the in vention, liquor iswithdrawn from the liquor containers and is discharged through thedispensing head by a plurality of liquor pumps each individual to one ofthe liquors. In the preferred embodiment, gas-operated liquor pumps areemployed. and solenoid-actuated valves are utilized to regulate theamout of liquor dispense. The mix containers are charged withpressurized carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container,whereby the mixes flow through the dispensing head under the action ofthe pressurized carbon dioxide gas. Solenoid-actuated valves areutilized to regulate the amount of mix dispensed.

A mechanical refrigeration apparatus defining a liquid chillingapparatus is mounted within the housing. Water is withdrawn from thewater container by a motor-driven water pump and is directed through theliq uid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head, with thequantity of water dispensed being regulated by a solenoid-actuatedvalve. Water is also directed from the water pump to a carbonatingapparatus which receives carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxidecontainer and functions to form carbonated water. Carbonated water fromthe carbonating apparatus is directed through the liquid chillingapparatus and through the dispensing head. with the quantity ofcarbonated water discharged being regulated by a solenoid-actuatedvalve.

The operation of the mixed drink preparation apparatus is under thecontrol of electronic circuitry. Each of the cards carries indiciarepresentative of both the various liquids required in the preparationof and the quantity of each liquid required in the preparation of thecorresponding mixed drink. Upon insertion of a particular card, theelecronic circuitry responds to the indicia thereon to actuate thecoresponding solenoidactuated valves for predetermined periods of time,thereby efi'ecting discharge of the required quantity of each of theliquids which is utilized in forming the particular mixed drink.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of theinvention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Descrip tionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is an illustration of a mixed drink preparation apparatusincorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a illustration of a typical card utilized in controlling theoperation of the mixed drink prcpara tion apparatus of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of the interior of the mixeddrink preparation apparatus,

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another portion of the interior of themixed drink preparation apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the dispensing head of the mixed drinkpreparation apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the dispensing head;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the system utilized in the mixed drinkpreparation apparatus for controlling the flow of liquids through thedispensing head;

FIG. 8 is an illustration ofthe liquor pumping system of the mixed drinkpreparation apparatus;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the syrup pumping system;

FIG. I is an illustration of the sweet and sour mix pumping system;

FIG. I l is an illustration of a combined water pumping, carbonatedwater making. and carbonated water pumping system utilized in the mixeddrink preparation apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the electronic circuitry of themixed drink preparation apparatus; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the counter circuitry of themixed drink preparation apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly toFIG. 1 thereof. there is shown a mixed drink preparzr V tion apparatusincorporating the present invention. The apparatus 20 includes a housing22 which is supported on casters 24 for portability, The housing 22 maybe formed from wood, metal. or the like, and includes a front wall 26, aback wall 28, and opposed side walls 30. The front wall 26, the backwall 28, and the side walls extend upwardly from a bottom wall 32 to atop wall 34, and the front wall 26 and the side walls 30 extend upwardlybeyond the top wall 34 for cooperation therewith to define a mixed drinkpreparation zone 36. An extension of the back wall 28 in hingedlysupported to provide a serving shelf 38. The housing 22 further includesa cover which ishingedly secured to the front wall 26 and is adapted tobe supported in the raised position illustrated in FIG. l by aconventional brace 42.

A dispensing head 44 is supported on the housing 22 and extends into themixed drink preparation zone 36 from the front wall 26. The dispensinghead 44 is positioned directly over a sink 46. Also accessible from themixed drink preparation zone 36 is an ice bucket 48 having a cover 50and a blender 52 including a base 54 secured in the top wall 34. It willbe understood that the use of the ice bucket 48 and/or the use of theblender 52 in'the mixed drink preparation apparatus 20 is entirelyoptional.

A blender control/counter assembly 56 is mounted at the intersection ofthe front wall 26 and the top wall 34 for access from the mixed drinkpreparation zone 36. A card reader slot is provided at 57. A pluralityof cards each corresponding to a particular mixed drink are normallystored in a rack 58 mounted on the cover 40. Upon insertion of aselected card into thecard reader slot 57, the mixed drink preparationapparatus 20 functions automatically to prepare the mixed drinkcorresponding to the selected card. This is accomplished by dischargingprecisely measured quantities of each of the various liquids necessaryin preparing the mixed drink through the dispensing head 44. As themixed drink preparation apparatus 20 is utilized in preparing mixeddrinks. the quantities of liquor dispensed are recorded by the counterportion of the blender control/- counter assembly 56. This isadvantageous both in maintaining inventory control and in preventingpilferage from the mixed drink preparation apparatus 20.

The back wall 28 of the housing 22 of the mixed drink preparationapparatus 20 comprises two sets of hingcdl'y supported doors 60 and 62.Asis best shown in FIG. 4. the doors 62 enclose a liquor receiving zone64. A plurality of liquor containers 66 are received in the liquorreceiving zone 64 by means of a rack 68 which is slidably supported onthe bottom wall 32 of the housing 22. ln accordance with one highlyadvantageous feature of the invnetion, the liquor containers 66 comprisethe original containers for the various liquors which are utilized inthe operation of the mixed drink preparation apparatus 20.

The liquor receiving zone 64 also encloses a plurality of liquor pumps70. The liquor containers 66 are each connected to one of the liquorpumps by a conduit 72. In those instances in which two of the containers66 contain identical liquors, a three-way valve 74 is em ployed toconnect both the containers 56 to the same pump .70.

The doors 62 of the back wall 28 of the housing 22 also enclose acontainer 76 filled with carbon dioxide and comprising a carbon dioxidereceiving zone 78. A sweet and sour mix container 80 is mounted adjacentto the carbon dioxide container 76. A drain container 82 is mounted onone of the doors 62 and is connected to an outlet in the bottom of thesink 46 by a conduit 84.

A lamp 86 is mounted on the underside of the top wall 34 forilluminating the interior of the liquor receiving zone 64. The icebucket 48 projects downwardly through the top wall 34 and extends intothe liquor re ceiving zone 64. The mixed drink preparation apparatus 20may be equipped with a timer 88 adapted to prevent operation of theapparatus 20 during certain hours of each day.

Referring now to FIG. 3. the doors 60 of the back wall 28 of the housing22 enclose a watery container 90 defining a water receiving zone 92. Theoutlet of the container 90 is directed to a motor-driven water pump 94.An electrically-driven combined refrigeration and carbonated watermaking apparatus 96 is mounted in the lower part of the portion of thehousing 22 enclosed by the doors 60. A plurality of mix containers 98are mounted in. a rack 100 supported on the bottom wall 32 of thehousing 22. Also. two mix containers 98 are mounted on one of the doors60. The mix containers 98 define a mix receiving zone 102 and may beemployed in tandem, that is, with pairs of containers 98 having thessame mix therein. lamp 104 is secured to the underside of thetop wall34 for illuminating the portion of the housing enclosed by the doors 60.

The dispensing head 44 of the mixed drink preparation apparatus 20 isillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The dispensing head 44 comprises aplurality of individual conduits which are received and retained by aring 106. As is best shown in FIG. 6. the conduits each terminate flushwith the bottom of the ring 106.

Referring now to FIG. 7. water is received in the dispensing head 44through a conduit 11 6. A solenoidactuated valve 118 is provided in theconduit [I4 for precisely regulating the quantity of water that isdispensed through the dispensing head 44. Carbonated vratcr is receivedin the dispensing head 44 through a conduit 120. A colenoid-actuatedvalve [22 is provided in the conduit 120 for precisely regulating thequantity ol'carbonatcd water that is discharged through the dispensinghead 44. Mixes are received through the dispensing head 44 through aseries of conduits 124. Each conduit 124 is provided with asolenoid-actuated valve 126, and the valves 126 function to preciselyregulate the quantity of each mix that is discharged through thedispensing head 44. Liquors are received in the dispensing head 44through a plurality of conduits 128. Each conduit 128 is provided with asolenoid-actuated valve 130. The valves 130 function to preciselycontrol the quantity of each liquor that is dispensed through thedispensing head 44.

In FIG. 8 there is shown a system 131 for pumping liquor from thecontainers 66 through the dispensing head 44 under the control of thesolenoid-actuated valve 130. A cylinder 132 has a piston I34 slidablyreceived therein. The piston 134 is normally positioned as shown in FIG.8 under the action of a spring 136. Liquor is received in the cylinder132 from one of the containers 66 through one of the conduits 72 andpossibly one of the three-way valves 74. A check-valve 138 at the endofthe conduit 72 prevents backflow of liquor from the cylinder 132.

A solenoid-actuated valve 140 normally maintains the rod end of acylinder 132 at atmospheric pressure through an exhaust port 142.Whatever it is desired to pump liquor, the valve I40 is operated toclose the exhaust port 142 and to simultaneously admit pressureizedcarbon dioxide gas from the container 76 into the rod end of thecylinder 132 through a passageway 144. The action of the pressurizedcarbon dioxide gas drives the piston 134 toward the top of the cylinder132, thereby pumping liquid through the conduit 128, through thesolenoid-actuated valve 130, and through the dispensing head 44. Theprecise quantity of liquor that is discharged through the dispensinghead 44 is requlated by the solenoid-actuated valve 130.

Following the pumping operation, the solenoidactuated valve 140 isoperated to close the passageway 144 and to return the rod end of thecylinder 132 to atmospheric pressure through the exhaust port 142. Thespring 136 then returns the piston 134 to the position shown. Thisaction draws liquor from the container 66 into the interior of thecylinder 132. A checkvalve 146 prevents backflow of liquor from theconduit 128.

A mix pumping system 148 utilized in the mixed drink preparationapparatus is illustrated in FIG, 9. Pressurized carbon dioxide gas isreceived in each mix container 98 from the container 76 thereof to apassageway [50. One of the conduits 124 extends from the interior of themix container 98 through one of the solenoid-actuated valves 126 to thedispensing head 44. Thus, mix is discharged from the container 98through the dispensing head 44 under the action of the pressurizedcarbon dioxide gas from the container 76, and under the control of theassociated solenoid-actuated valve 126.

A sweet and sour pumping system 152 is illustrated in Flg. l0.Pressurized carbon dioxide gas is received from the container 76 thereofthrough a conduit 154 at a pressure determined by the setting of apressure regulator 156. One of the conduits 122 extends from theinterior of the container 80 through one of the solenoidactuated valves124. Thus, sweet and sour mix is discharged from the container 80through the dispensing head 44 under the pressure of carbon dioxide gasreceived from the container 76, and under the control of the associatedsolenoid-operated valve 124.

Referring to FIG 1, there is shown a combined water pumping, carbonatedwater making and carbonated water pumping system 158 for the mixed drinkpreparation apparatus 20. The combined refrigeration and carbonatedwater making apparatus 96 includes a housing 160 having an electricmotor 164 mounted therein. The electric motor 162 drives a fan 164 and acompressor 166. The compressor 166 directs high pressure working fluidto a condenser 168 and to an expansion valve 170 which in turn directslow pressure, substantially chilled working fluid to a coil 172extending through a thermally insulated portion of the housing 160. Theoutlet of the coil 172 is returned to the compressor 166.

Water is withdrawn from the container thereof by the pump 94 through aconduit 174 extending to the interior of the container 90, and isdirected through a conduit 176 to a coil 178 mounted within the coil172. Thus, water flowing through the coil 178 is substantially chilledunder the action of the low temperature working fluid in the coil 172.From the coil 178, the chilled water flows through a conduit 180 to aT-fltting 182. A portion of the water passes from the T-fitting 182through a pressure regulator 184 to the conduit 116. The conduit 116 inturn extends to the dispensing head 44 through the solenoid-actuatedvalve 118. Thus, the system 158 functions to discharge chilled waterthrough the dispensing head 44 under the control of thesolenoid-actuated valve 118.

The chilled water flowing through the other leg of the T-fitting 182 isdirected through a conduit 186 and is sprayed into the interior of acontainer 188 mounted within the insulated portion of the housing 160.Carbon dioxide gas is received in the container 188 from the container76 thereof and is bubbled into the standing liquid within the container188 through an air stonetypc outlet 190. The spraying of water into thecarbon dioxide rich atmosphere within the container 188, and thebubbling of carbon dioxide gas through the standing liquid within thecontainer 188 forms the liquid into carbonated water. The carbonatedwater is withdrawn from the container 188 in the manner indicated by thearrow 192 and is directed through a coil [94 positioned within the coil172. Thus, the carbonated water is further chilled by heat transfer tothe low temperature working fluid flowing within the coil 172. Thecarbonated water passing from the coil 194 is directed to the dispensinghead 44 through the conduit and the solenoid-actuated valve 122. Thus,carbonated water is discharged through the dispensing head 44 under thecontrol of the solenoid-actuated valve 122.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the mixed drink preparation apparatus 20 isoperated under the control of punched cards 200. Each card 200 comprisesfour vertical columns 202 representative of time periods of operation ofthe solenoid-actuated valves 118, 122, 126. and to control the flow ofliquids through the dispensing head 44. In one embodiment of theinvention, the col umns 202 of the cards 200 represent time periods ofoperation of 2 seconds, 4 seconds. 6 seconds and 8 seconds, it beingunderstood that the time period of operation represented by eachvertical column 202 is variable within the operation of the mixed drinkpreparation apparatus 20. Each punched card 200 further comprises 12horizontal rows 204 each representative of and individual to one of thesolenoid-actuated valves 118, 122. I26 and 130. in one embodiment of theinvention one of the rows 204 is individual to and represents the valve118, one of the rows 204 is individual to and represents the valve 122,four of the rows 204 are individual to and represent the valves 126, andsix of the rows 204 are individual to and represent the valves 130. Itwill be appreciated that the mixed drink preparation apparatus may beprovided with more than four valves 126 and/or with more than six valves130, in which case the number of horizontal rows 204 comprising the card200 is increased. Each card 200 further comprises printed indicia 206 atone end thereof disignating the particular mixed drink represented bythe card.

Referring to FIG. 12, an electronic circuit 208 for op erating the mixeddrink preparation apparatus 20 under the control of the punched cards200 is schematically illustrated. The circuit 208 includes four timers210, 212, 214 and 216, each corresponding to one of the vertical columns202 of the punched cards 200. Each of the timers 210, 212, 214 and 216functions to operate a lamp 218 individual thereto. Each lamp 218 ispositioned within an individual section 220 ofa parabolic reflector 222(only one of the four sections 220 of the reflector 222 is illustratedin FIG. 12). Each section 220 of the reflector 222 functions to directlight from its individual lamp 218 through one of the four verticalcolumns 202 of a punched card 200 positioned within the card reader slot57.

Power for operating the electronic circuit 208 is supplied from an ACpower supply 223, adapted to be switched either on or off, through atransformer 224 to a diode rectifier circuit 225 having unfilteredpositive and negative output DC power concctions. The positive output isconnected serially through a resistor 226, a photocell 227 positionedadjacent a lamp 228, and a resistor 229, and through additionalcircuitry to the negative connection of the diode rectifier circuit 225.Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 230 has an anode connection to thepositive terminal of the circuit 225, a gate connection to the junctionof photocell 227 and resistor 229, and a cathode connection to theopposite end of resistor 229. A photocell 231 is connected in parallelwith resistor 229 between the gate and the cathode electrodes of SCR230. Thus, with a card 200 inserted to block the path of light from thelamp 228 to the photocell 231, the photocell is converted from low tohigh resistance and the gate bias immediately becomes such as to resultin activation of SCR 230 to conduction, which in turn results inimmediate activation of the lamp 228 in each of the sections 220 of theparabolic reflector 222. However, in the event of a failure of the lamp228 or a break in the electrical connections between the circuit 225 andthe photocell 231, photocell 227 is converted from low resistance (lightpresem) to high resistance (no light) and the gate to base bias level ofSCR 230 is lowered. This results in deactivation of the SCR 230 upon thenext downward fluctuation of the positive output of the unfilteredcircuit 225, thereby preventing an undesired actuation of the circuit208 as a result of a failure of the lamp 228,

etc.

The cathode of the SCR 230 is connected through the lamps 228 inparallel through, respectively, diodes 241, 242, 243, and 244 havinganodes connected to the lamps and cathodes connected to the anodes.respectively, of timing circuit SCRs 245, 246, 247, and 248. The SCRs245, 246, 247, and 248 each have a cathode which is connected to thenegative output of the circuit 225. Further, the cathode of SCR 230 isconnected through a resistor 249 to the anode of a diode 250 having a'cathode connection both through a capacitor 251 to the negative outputof circuit 225, and also serially through resistors 252 and 253 to thenegative output connection. The junction of resistors 252 and 253 is 5connected through resistors 254, 255, 256, and 257 of the timingsections 210, 212, 214, and 216, respectively, to the anodes of SCRs258, 259, 260, and 26l, and to the anodes of diodes 262, 263, 264, and265. The cathodes of diodes 262, 263, 264, and 265 are connected,respectively, to the anodes of diodes 266, 267, 268, and 269 havingcathodes connected to the gates of SCRs 245, 246, 247, and 248,respectively.

The cathodes of SCRs 258, 259, 260, and 261 are connected to thenegative output of circuit 225, while the gate electrodes thereof areconnected to the junction of one base output electrode of unijunctiontransistors 270, 271, 272, and 273. Resistors 274, 275, 276, and 277link this junction to the negative side of the circuit 225. The otherbase electrode of the unijunction transistors 270, 271, 272, and 273 areconnected, respectively, serially through resistors 278, 279, 280, and281, and resistors 282, 283, 284, and 285 to the timing circuit voltagesupply connection with the junction of resistors 252 and 253. Thejunctions of resistors 278 and 282, 279 and 283, 280 and 284, and 281and 285 are connected, respectively. through zcner diodes 286, 287, 288and 289 to the negative side of circuit 225, and serially throughadjustable resistors 290, 291, 292, and 293, and capacitors 294, 295,296, and 297 to the negative side of circuit 225. The junctions ofresistors 290, 291, 292, and 293 with capacitors 294, 295, 296, and 297are connected to the emitter electrodes of unijunction transistors 270,271, 272, and 273 in order that the RC time constant developed voltagesbias trigger their respective transistors 270, 271, 272, and 273 toprovide a positive voltage output on the base electrodes connected tothe gate electrodes of SCRs 258, 259, 260, and 261, thus providingactuation for con duction thcrethrough. This lowers the voltage level atthe anodes of the SCRs 258, 259, 260, and 261 and at the gate electrodesof SCRs 245, 246, 247, and 248. The SCRs 245, 246, 247, and 248 aretherefore deactuated with the next cyclic lowering of the positivevoltage output of the circuit 225 at the respective time intervalsdetermined by the RC time constance of the timers 210, 212, 214, and 216as determined by the adjustable resistors 290, 291, 292, and 293, and bythe selected values of capacitors 294, 295, 296, and 297.

In addition to being connected to the anodes of SCR 230, the positiveunfiltered output of circuit 225 is connected to the anode of SCR .298as the power supply to solenoid coild 299 of the solenoid-actuatedvalves 118, 122, I26 and 130 of FIG. 7. The cathode of SCr 298 is alsoconnected through resistors 300 and 301 to the junction of photocell231, resistors 229 and 249, and the cathode of SCR 230. The junction ofresistors 300 and 301 is connected to the gate electrode of SC R 298.This provides for rapid de-actuation of SCR 298 and the positivede-actuation of all of the solenoid-actuated valves 118, 122, 126, and130, should. for example. a Card 200 be removed from the card readerslot 57 during the dispensing of a mixed dr' k and prior to thecompletion of the timing cycle.

Diodes 302 are connected in parallel with the solenoid coils 299 toprotect SCRs 303 having anode eonnections to the coils from inductivevoltage transients. The anode of each SCR 303 is also connected serially(ill through a resistor 304. a photocell 305 representative of aparticular horizontal row 204 of the card 200. and a resistor 306 toconnections with the cathode of the SCR and with the negative side ofthccircuit 225. The junction of each photocell 305 with the correspondingresistor 306 is connected to the gate electrode of the corresponding SCR303, there being 12 SCRs 303 to match the number of horizontal rows 204of the punched cards 200. Thus, so long as light is received by aparticular photocell 305 through an opening in a card 200, the SCR 303corresponding to such photocell 305 is actuated to a conductive stateand the coils 299 are in turn actuated to open the correspondingsolenoidactuated valves 118, 122. 126. or 130. The time period of suchaction in turn depends on the RC time constant of the correspondingtimers 210, 212. 214, or 216.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an electronic circuit 308 for registering thequantities of liquor dispensed by the mixed drink preparation apparatus20 is schematically illustrated. A plurality of terminals 309 are eachconnected to the junction between one of the SCRs 303 and thecorresponding coil 299 of the circuit 208 which in turn corresponds toone of the solenoid-actuated valves 130 of FIG. 7. The terminals 309 arein turn connected through diodes 310 to one terminal of the coil of arelay 312. The opposite terminal of the coil of the relay 312 isconnected to the negative output of the circuit 225. Thus. whenever oneof the solenoid-actuated valves 130 is actuated to dispense liquorthrough the dispensing head 44. the relay 312 is actuated to connect thepositive output of the circuit 225 to a pair of counters 314 comprisingthe blender control/counter assembly 56.

A relay 316 is provided for selectively connecting the negative outputof the circuit 225 to one or the other of the counters 314. The coil ofthe relay 316 has terminals 318 which are connected in parallel with oneof the lamps 218. The relay 316 therefore assumes one or the other ofits two states, depending on whether its corresponding lamp 218 isactuated. For example. the corresponding lamp 218 might be the lampcorresponding to the dispensing of a double shot of liquor,

in which case one of the counters 314 would record the dispensing ofeach double shot of liquor and the other counter 314 would record thedispensing of each single shot of liquor by the mixed drink preparationapparatus 20. The two counters 314 of the blender control/counterassembly 56 thereby provide a combined output reading indicative of thetotal quantity of liquor dispensed by the mixed drink preparationapparatus 20.

From the foregoing. it will be understood that the present inventioncomprises an improved mixed drink preparation apparatus incorporatingnumerous advantages over the prior art. Perhaps one of thc mostimportant advantages deriving from the use of the invention involves thefact that liquors are dispensed thereby directly from the originalliquor containers. This minimizes the problems of breakage. spillage,etc. which have characterized prior systems wherein it has beennecessary to transfer the liquors from the original con tainers tocontainers especially adapted for use in the device. Another advantageto the use of the present invention involves the fact that by mean sthereof complete accountability over the quantity of liquor dis pensedis continuously maintained. This is in turn helpful both in inventorycontrol and in eliminating pilferage which has been a problem in the useof the prior art systems.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated inthe accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing DetailedDescription. it will be understood that the invention is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus comprising:

a housing including a bottom wall, front and back walls. opposed sidewalls, and a top wall defining a mixed drink preparation zone;

the back wall defining at least one open-able panel to provide access tosubstantially the entire interior of the housing;

the housing defining therein a liquor receiving zone characterized bymeans for receiving a plurality of quantities of different liquors eachin its original container;

means within the housing for receiving a plurality of mix containerseach having a quantity of mix therein;

means within the housing for receiving a water container having aquantity of water therein;

means within the housing for receiving a carbon dioxide container havinga quantity of carbon dioxide therein;

a dispensing head mounted on the housing and extending into the mixeddrink preparation zone at a point over the top wall of the housing;

drain container means mounted in the housing;

drain means for directing liquids from a point in the mixed drinkpreparation zone under the dispensing head to the drain container means;

a plurality of liquor pumps each for withdrawing liquor from one of theliquor containers in the liquor receiving zone and for discharging theliquor through the dispensing head;

valve means for controlling the flow of each liquor through thedispensing head under the action of the liquor pumps;

mix pumping means for withdrawing mixes from the mix containers and fordischarging the mixes through the dispensing head;

valve means for controlling the flow of mixes through the dispensinghead under the action of the mix pumping means;

mechanical refrigeration means mounted in the housing and comprisingliquid chilling means;

water pumping means for withdrawing water from the water container andfor directing the water through the liquid chilling means and throughthe dispensing head;

valve means for controlling the flow of water through the dispensinghead under the action of the water pumping means;

carbonating means for receiving water from the water pumping means. forreceiving carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container, and forforming carbonated water;

means for directing carbonated water from the carbonating mcansthroughthe liquid chilling means and through the dispensing head;

valve means for controlling the flow of carbonated water through thedispensing head;

said liquors. mixes, water. and carbonated water comprising a pluralityof liquids available for use in formulating mixed drinks;

a plurality of selectable cards each corresponding to a particular mixeddrink and each bearing input means representative of the particularmixed drink; and

electronic circuitry means responsive to the input means of the cardsfor selectively actuating predetcrmincd valves for predetermined periodsof time and thereby effecting discharge through the dispensing head of apredetermined quantity of each liquid from the plurality thereof that isrequired for the selected mixed drink.

2. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 1wherein each liquor pump com prises:

cylinder means;

piston means mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder means;

check valve means for admitting liquor from one of the containersthereof to one end of the cylinder means;

check valve means for directing liquor from said one end of the cylindermeans to the dispensing head;

means for selectively admitting pressurized carbon dioxide gas from thecarbon dioxide container to the opposite end of the cylinder means andthereby actuating the piston means to force liquor out of the cylindermeans and through the dispensing head; and

spring means for subsequently returning the piston means and therebydrawing liquor into said one end of the cylinder means from thecontainer thereof;

3. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim lwherein the mix pumping means comprises:

means for directing pressurized carbon dioxide gas from the carbondioxide container into each mix container; and

means for directing mix from each rnix container through the dispensinghead under the action of the pressurized carbon dioxide gas.

4. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 1wherein the electronic circuitry means further includes counter meansfor recording the quantity of liquor that is dispensed from the liquorcontainers in the liquor receiving zone through the dispensing head.

5. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim Iwherein the mechanical refrigeration means further comprises:

means defining an enclosed zone;

means for circulating a chilled fluid within the enclosed zone; and

means for receiving water from the water pumping means and forcirculating the water in the enc bsed zone and thereby chilling thewater by heat transfer to the chilled fluid circulated therein.

6. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 5wherein the carbonation apparatus further comprises:

container means mounted within the enclosed zone of the mechanicalrefrigeration means;

means for receiving water from the water pumping means and fordischarging the water into the container means;

means for receiving carbon dioxide gas from the car' bon dioxidecontainer and for bubbling the carbon dioxide gas through liquidaccumulated in the container means; and

means for receiving carbonated water from the container means and forcirculating the carbonated water through the enclosed zone and therebyfurther cooling the carbonated water by heat transfer to the chilledfluid circulating therein.

7. An automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus comprising: V g

a housing including a bottom wall from and back walls, opposed sidewalls and a top wall defining a mixed drink preparation zone;

said walls of the housing defining therebetwcen a wholly closed liquorreceiving zone characterized by means for receiving a plurality ofquantities of different liquors each in its original container;

said walls of the housing defining a wholly enclosed mix receiving zonefor receiving a plurality of quantities of different mixes each in acontainer;

said walls of the housing defining a wholly enclosed water receivingzone for receiving a quantity of water in a container;

said walls of the housing defining a wholly enclosed carbon dioxidereceiving zone for receiving a quantity of carbon dioxide in acontainer;

a dispensing head mounted in the housing and extending into the mixeddrink preparation zone at a point over the top wall of the housing;

drain container means supported in the housing;

drain means for directing liquid from the point in the mixed drinkpreparation zone under the dispensing head into the drain containermeans;

a plurality of liquor pumps each for withdrawing liquor from one of theliquor containers in the liquor receiving zone and for discharging theliquor through the dispensing head;

a plurality of valve means each for regulating the quantity of liquordischarged through the dispensing head by one of the liquor pumps;

mix pumping means for withdrawing mixes from the mix containers in themix receiving zone and for directing the mixes through the dispensinghead;

a plurality of valve means each for regulating the quantity of mixdischarged through the dispensing head from one of the mix containers;

mechanical refrigeration means defining liquid chilling means;

water pumping means for withdrawing water from the water container inthe water receiving zone and for directing water through the liquidchilling means and through the dispensing head;

valve means for regulating the quantity of water discharged through thedispensing head:

carbonating means for receiving water from the water pumping means andfor receiving carbon dioxide gas from carbon dioxide containers in thecarbon dioxide receiving zone and for forming carbonated water;

means for directing carbonated water from the carbonating means throughthe dispensing head;

valve means for regulating the quantity ofcarbonatcd water dischargedthrough the dispensing head;

said liquors. mixes. water and carbonated water defining a plurality ofliquids available for use in formulating mixed drinks;

a plurality of cards each corresponding to a particular mixed drink andeach bearing input means indicative of both the particular liquids to beused and the quantity of each liquid to be used in formulating thecorresponding mixed drink; and

electronic circuitry means responsive to the input means of the cardsfor actuating the valve means to discharge predetermined quantities ofone or more of the liquids comprising the plurality of liquids throughthe dispensing head.

8. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7wherein the carbonating apparatus further comprises:

container means;

means for receiving water from the water pumping means and fordischarging the water into the container means;

means for receiving carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide containerand for bubbling the carbon dioxide through liquid standing in thecontainer means; and

means for receiving carbonated water from the container means and forcirculating the carbonated water through the liquid chilling means.

9. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 8wherein the mechanical refrigera tion means further comprises:

means defining an enclosed zone;

the container means of the carbonating apparatus being mounted withinthe enclosed zone;

means for circulating a chilled fluid within the enclosed zone andthereby chilling the contents of the container means of the carbonatingapparatus by heat transfer to the chilled fluid; and

means for receiving water from the water pumping means and forcirculating the water in the enclosed zone and thereby chilling thewater by heat transfer to the chilled fluid circulating therein.

10. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7further characterized by counter means responsive to each actuation ofthe electronic circuitry means to dispense liquor through the dispensinghead for recording the quantity of liquor dispensed from the liquorcontainers in the liquor receiving zone.

II. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7wherein each liquor pump comprises:

a cylinder;

a piston mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder;

means for admitting liquor from one of the liquor containers to one endof the cylinder;

means for directing liquor from said one end of the cylinder to thedispensing head;

means for selectively admitting pressurized carbon dioxide gas from thecarbon dioxide container to the opposite end of the cylinder and therebyactuating the piston to force liquor out of the cylinder and through thedispensing head; and

means for subsequently returning the piston from the opposite end of thecylinder and thereby drawing liquor out of the liquor container and intosaid one end of the cylinder.

12. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7wherein the mix pumping means comprises:

means for directing pressurized carbon dioxide gas from the carbondioxide container in the carbon dioxide receiving zone into each of themix containers in the mix receiving zone and thereby pressurizing themix containers; and

means for directing mix from each mix container through the dispensinghead under the action otthe pressurized carbon dioxide gas therein.

1. An automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus comprising: a housingincluding a bottom wall, front and back walls, opposed side walls, and atop wall defining a mixed drink preparation zone; the back wall definingat least one openable panel to provide access to substantially theentire interior of the housing; the housing defining therein a liquorreceiving zone characterized by means for receiving a plurality ofquantities of different liquors each in its original container; meanswithin the housing for receiving a plurality of mix containers eachhaving a quantity of mix therein; means within the housing for receivinga water container having a quantity of water therein; means within thehousing for receiving a carbon dioxide container having a quantity ofcarbon dioxide therein; a dispensing head mounted on the housing andextending into the mixed drink preparation zone at a point over the topwall of the housing; drain container means mounted in the housing; drainmeans for directing liquids from a point in the mixed drink preparationzone under the dispensing head to the drain container means; a pluralityof liquor pumps each for withdrawing liquor from one of the liquorcontainers in the liquor receiving zone and for discharging the liquorthrough the dispensing head; valve means for controlling the flow ofeach liquor through the dispensing head under the action of the liquorpumps; mix pumping means for withdrawing mixes from the mix containersand for discharging the mixes through the dispensing head; valve meansfor controlling the flow of mixes through the dispensing head under theaction of the mix pumping means; mechanical refrigeration means mountedin the housing and comprising liquid chilling means; water pumping meansfor withdrawing water from the water container and for directing thewater through the liquid chilling means and through the dispensing head;valve means for controlling the flow of water through the dispensinghead under the action of the water pumping means; carbonating means forreceiving water from the water pumping means, for receiving carbondioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container, and for formingcarbonated water; means for directing carbonated water from tHecarbonating means through the liquid chilling means and through thedispensing head; valve means for controlling the flow of carbonatedwater through the dispensing head; said liquors, mixes, water, andcarbonated water comprising a plurality of liquids available for use informulating mixed drinks; a plurality of selectable cards eachcorresponding to a particular mixed drink and each bearing input meansrepresentative of the particular mixed drink; and electronic circuitrymeans responsive to the input means of the cards for selectivelyactuating predetermined valves for predetermined periods of time andthereby effecting discharge through the dispensing head of apredetermined quantity of each liquid from the plurality thereof that isrequired for the selected mixed drink.
 2. The automatic mixed drinkpreparation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each liquor pumpcomprises: cylinder means; piston means mounted for reciprocation in thecylinder means; check valve means for admitting liquor from one of thecontainers thereof to one end of the cylinder means; check valve meansfor directing liquor from said one end of the cylinder means to thedispensing head; means for selectively admitting pressurized carbondioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container to the opposite end of thecylinder means and thereby actuating the piston means to force liquorout of the cylinder means and through the dispensing head; and springmeans for subsequently returning the piston means and thereby drawingliquor into said one end of the cylinder means from the containerthereof.
 3. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the mix pumping means comprises: means for directingpressurized carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container intoeach mix container; and means for directing mix from each mix containerthrough the dispensing head under the action of the pressurized carbondioxide gas.
 4. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the electronic circuitry means furtherincludes counter means for recording the quantity of liquor that isdispensed from the liquor containers in the liquor receiving zonethrough the dispensing head.
 5. The automatic mixed drink preparationapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical refrigerationmeans further comprises: means defining an enclosed zone; means forcirculating a chilled fluid within the enclosed zone; and means forreceiving water from the water pumping means and for circulating thewater in the enclosed zone and thereby chilling the water by heattransfer to the chilled fluid circulated therein.
 6. The automatic mixeddrink preparation apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the carbonationapparatus further comprises: container means mounted within the enclosedzone of the mechanical refrigeration means; means for receiving waterfrom the water pumping means and for discharging the water into thecontainer means; means for receiving carbon dioxide gas from the carbondioxide container and for bubbling the carbon dioxide gas through liquidaccumulated in the container means; and means for receiving carbonatedwater from the container means and for circulating the carbonated waterthrough the enclosed zone and thereby further cooling the carbonatedwater by heat transfer to the chilled fluid circulating therein.
 7. Anautomatic mixed drink preparation apparatus comprising: a housingincluding a bottom wall, front and back walls, opposed side walls, and atop wall defining a mixed drink preparation zone; said walls of thehousing defining therebetween a wholly closed liquor receiving zonecharacterized by means for receiving a plurality of quantities ofdifferent liquors each in its original container; said walls of thehousing defining a wholly enclosed mix receiving zone for receiving aplurality of quantiTies of different mixes each in a container; saidwalls of the housing defining a wholly enclosed water receiving zone forreceiving a quantity of water in a container; said walls of the housingdefining a wholly enclosed carbon dioxide receiving zone for receiving aquantity of carbon dioxide in a container; a dispensing head mounted inthe housing and extending into the mixed drink preparation zone at apoint over the top wall of the housing; drain container means supportedin the housing; drain means for directing liquid from the point in themixed drink preparation zone under the dispensing head into the draincontainer means; a plurality of liquor pumps each for withdrawing liquorfrom one of the liquor containers in the liquor receiving zone and fordischarging the liquor through the dispensing head; a plurality of valvemeans each for regulating the quantity of liquor discharged through thedispensing head by one of the liquor pumps; mix pumping means forwithdrawing mixes from the mix containers in the mix receiving zone andfor directing the mixes through the dispensing head; a plurality ofvalve means each for regulating the quantity of mix discharged throughthe dispensing head from one of the mix containers; mechanicalrefrigeration means defining liquid chilling means; water pumping meansfor withdrawing water from the water container in the water receivingzone and for directing water through the liquid chilling means andthrough the dispensing head; valve means for regulating the quantity ofwater discharged through the dispensing head; carbonating means forreceiving water from the water pumping means and for receiving carbondioxide gas from carbon dioxide containers in the carbon dioxidereceiving zone and for forming carbonated water; means for directingcarbonated water from the carbonating means through the dispensing head;valve means for regulating the quantity of carbonated water dischargedthrough the dispensing head; said liquors, mixes, water, and carbonatedwater defining a plurality of liquids available for use in formulatingmixed drinks; a plurality of cards each corresponding to a particularmixed drink and each bearing input means indicative of both theparticular liquids to be used and the quantity of each liquid to be usedin formulating the corresponding mixed drink; and electronic circuitrymeans responsive to the input means of the cards for actuating the valvemeans to discharge predetermined quantities of one or more of theliquids comprising the plurality of liquids through the dispensing head.8. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7wherein the carbonating apparatus further comprises: container means;means for receiving water from the water pumping means and fordischarging the water into the container means; means for receivingcarbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container and for bubblingthe carbon dioxide through liquid standing in the container means; andmeans for receiving carbonated water from the container means and forcirculating the carbonated water through the liquid chilling means. 9.The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 8wherein the mechanical refrigeration means further comprises: meansdefining an enclosed zone; the container means of the carbonatingapparatus being mounted within the enclosed zone; means for circulatinga chilled fluid within the enclosed zone and thereby chilling thecontents of the container means of the carbonating apparatus by heattransfer to the chilled fluid; and means for receiving water from thewater pumping means and for circulating the water in the enclosed zoneand thereby chilling the water by heat transfer to the chilled fluidcirculating therein.
 10. The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatusaccording to claim 7 further characterized by counter means responsiveto Each actuation of the electronic circuitry means to dispense liquorthrough the dispensing head for recording the quantity of liquordispensed from the liquor containers in the liquor receiving zone. 11.The automatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7wherein each liquor pump comprises: a cylinder; a piston mounted forreciprocation within the cylinder; means for admitting liquor from oneof the liquor containers to one end of the cylinder; means for directingliquor from said one end of the cylinder to the dispensing head; meansfor selectively admitting pressurized carbon dioxide gas from the carbondioxide container to the opposite end of the cylinder and therebyactuating the piston to force liquor out of the cylinder and through thedispensing head; and means for subsequently returning the piston fromthe opposite end of the cylinder and thereby drawing liquor out of theliquor container and into said one end of the cylinder.
 12. Theautomatic mixed drink preparation apparatus according to claim 7 whereinthe mix pumping means comprises: means for directing pressurized carbondioxide gas from the carbon dioxide container in the carbon dioxidereceiving zone into each of the mix containers in the mix receiving zoneand thereby pressurizing the mix containers; and means for directing mixfrom each mix container through the dispensing head under the action ofthe pressurized carbon dioxide gas therein.